Finland and Sweden’s applications to join NATO submitted

May 18 2022

Finland and Sweden have officially handed in their applications to join NATO, the US-led alliance, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine rose concerns and put an end to their neutrality.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that the applications the countries made are a historic step. ‘Allies will now consider the next steps on your path to NATO’.

This comes despite warnings from Russia, with President Vladimir Putin warning that the move may trigger a response from Moscow. The applications face resistance from NATO member Turkey, which threatened to block them over accusations that the Nordic neighbours act as safe havens armed groups opposed to Ankara.

Stoltenberg said that the security interests of all allies have to be taken into account. ‘All allies agree on the importance of NATO enlargement. We all agree that we must stand together and we all agree that this is a historic moment which we must seize’ he said.

Several NATO allies offered security assurances to Finland and Sweden during the application period before they are covered by the alliance’s mutual defence pact.

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538 domestic violence cases reported to police in first four months of 2022

May 18 2022

Malta’s police have received 538 reports of domestic violence in just the first four months of 2022. The statistics were revealed by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri in response to a question by PN MP Paula Mifsud Bonnici.

The localities with the highest reports so far this year were St Paul’s Bay, at the top with 29 cases, Zabbar at 24 and Zejtun at 23. More recent figures also show that over 96% of domestic violence court cases in Malta fail to result in conviction.

Looking back to the entirety of 2021, police received 1,741 reports. St Paul’s Bay and Zabbar were once again at the top of that list.

More reports do not however translate into a direct explanation as to what is going on as a whole due to many victims living in silence and not reporting. The increase in reports also indicates more awareness about such cases, prompting the reports.

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Over 88,000 Maltese went abroad between January and March 2022

May 18 2022

As the tourism sector experiences a revitalisation following two years of COVID-19 related restrictions, the first three months of 2022 registered a substantial number of Maltese travellers.

In fact, according to digits provided by the National Statistics Office, over 88,000 Maltese people travelled in this first quarter.

It was also revealed that, in total, around 654,000 nights were spent abroad away from the Maltese islands. Italy was the most popular destination amongst Maltese travellers, with the UK following close behind.

The NSO statistics show that travelling suffered a major hit during the pandemic. However, an upward trend is being noted as many take to the airport. The collective spending of Maltese travellers reached up to €69 million.

This is approximately €782 per head. Back in April of this year, tourism minister Clayton Bartolo revealed that 80% of Malta’s pre-pandemic travel routes had recovered due to the easing of measures.

The removal of all countries from red or dark red lists also impacted the drive for the Maltese to travel, whilst also stimulating an income of international visitors as many feel more comfortable to once again satisfy their wanderlust safely.

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Photo source: Rene Rossignaud (MIA)

Ghaxaq Music Festival returns with massive International headliner

May 18 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the beloved Ghaxaq Music Festival is set to make its return on the 23rd of July. And it will mark its comeback by welcoming a massive International headliner.

Leading UK reggae band UB40 will be headlining the event, performing on the Maltese islands for the first time ever. They will also be paying tribute to their former band member Astro, who sadly passed away last November.

Alongside frontman Ali Campbell, UB40 will celebrate Astro’s music and will play all of their hits from the three albums as well as a line up songs from ‘Unprecedented’, the fourth and last album Ali and Astro recorded together.

The Ghaxaq Music Festival is promising to create a ‘festa’ feeling for all those who missed such events during the two years of COVID induced restrictions.

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